Flower of the Week: Gerbera Daisy

 

The flower of the week is the Gerbera Daisy, scientifically known as Gerbera jamesonii.  The Gerbera Daisy is a perennial flowering plant, and comes from the same family as the sunflower. The Gerbera is also commonly known as the African Daisy, Transvaal Daisy and Barberton Daisy.  

This beautiful Large Daisy symbolises gentleness, innocence, purity, cheerfulness and loyal love, a flower that exists in so many colours. This innocent flower holds its place in one of five of the most used flowers used in floristry, along the rose, carnations, chrysanthemums and tulips. You can use the Gerbera daisy in flower arrangements, have it as a pot plant or in your flowerbeds. If you like to attract honey bees, butterflies or birds to your garden, this flower will do just that. Even as a human I cannot resist the flower myself!

Robert Jameson discovered the Gerbera Daisy in South Africa in 1884, and since its discovery it has come a long way. The German naturalist Traugott Gerber scientifically named the flower Gerbera jamesonii. In the late eighteen hundreds horticulturalists in England enhanced the flowers colour variations and its quality. It was this change, which created the appeal to flower growers in the Netherlands and Columbia. You can get four different types of Gerberas. Ranging from Single flower, double gerbera, crested double gerbera and the full-crested double gerbera. 

If you would like to plant Gerberas from seed, read below if you would like to see a step-by-step guide of how to grow them.  

• Seeds should be germinated in an artificial growing medium. Germinating seed in field sand or field sand mixed with materials such as perlite and/or peat moss is not recommended because field sand is usually not sterile. Artificial growing media that are sterile, lightweight, and have good water retention capacity and drainage can be purchased in garden supply stores. These materials often have fertilizers incorporated.
• The medium can be placed in flats or pots that have drainage holes. Make shallow rows in the medium approximately twice the depth of the diameter of the seed, sow seeds in the rows, cover lightly with extra medium and water carefully.
•  After seeds are planted and watered, cover the container with a sheet of glass or clear plastic and place the germination container approximately 45cm below a fluorescent light. Check the medium daily for moisture and for signs of seed germination.
• The medium should never be allowed to dry, especially when gerbera seeds are starting to germinate. When watering is necessary, apply a sufficient amount to allow excess water to drain out of the container. Any water that collects in the saucer beneath the germination container should be discarded.
• Tall and spindly seedlings can be avoided by transplanting the seedlings to small pots as soon as the first true leaves appear. Seedlings can be grown in small pots until they are large enough to transplant into flowerbeds. (Or flower pots). 
• [From: http://www.theflowerexpert.com/content/mostpopularflowers/gerberas]

The Gerbera flower requires to have a warm climate to survive outside, otherwise they will need to be grown inside the house as a house plant. They need a constant temperature of twenty to twenty five degree’s Celsius to thrive well. They need a lot of sunlight, so a position in the sun with partial shade is needed outside, or if the Gerbera is inside the house a spot by the window will be ideal. If you would like the Gerbera in your garden in a cold temperate country, have it in a pot outside in the summer, and when autumn comes bring it in for house use.

The Gerbera can grow quite high in their pots, so cutting them at the bottom of the stem to put in a vase would allow for a beautiful home made flower display and at the same time encourage more flowers from the plant. With the right care and regular water changes in vases, you can enjoy this cheerful flower for a long time.

Here are a couple examples of how you can use Gerberas in a more sophisticated and fun way. They are such a versatile flower. They firmly stamp their place in displays for events, weddings or just brightening up your home. Enjoy these creations I made below.